[2020 National Audit] "If Fukushima Contaminated Water Is Released, It Will Reach South Korea Within a Month"

Impact on South Korea's Marine Environment Within a Month of Fukushima Contaminated Water Release Including Cesium
Need for Joint Response Such as Korea-China-Japan Collaborative Investigation

Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee expressed concerns on the 12th during the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission's audit about Japan's plan to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean. It is expected that Japan will release the contaminated water into the sea by 2022, and measures are needed to address this. Lawmakers pointed out that the government should ensure immediate detection of Fukushima contaminated water discharge through consultations with Japan and prepare countermeasures accordingly.

Fukushima Contaminated Water Storage Tanks to Reach Capacity in 2022

Lawmakers expressed concern that Japan might release Fukushima contaminated water within 2 to 3 years.

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Junho Han stated, based on Nuclear Safety and Security Commission data, that 1.23 million tons, or 98% of the 1.25 million-ton capacity of Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water storage tanks, have already been filled. Even with an expansion to 1.37 million tons, the tanks will reach saturation by 2022, demanding government action.

Fellow party member Pilmo Jeong also said, "New Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga visited Fukushima on the 25th of last month and said he would decide on the disposal method for the contaminated water soon," adding, "Once internal consultations in Japan conclude, ocean discharge is expected to proceed in 2022." Prime Minister Suga chose Fukushima as his first regional inspection site after taking office.

'Fukushima Cesium Contaminated Water' Could Reach South Korea Within a Month

Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea)

Lawmakers anticipate that if Fukushima contaminated water is discharged into the ocean, it will affect South Korea's marine environment in a short time.

Kim Sang-hee, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly and member of the Democratic Party of Korea, cited data from the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, stating, "An in-depth analysis of video data from Germany's Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR) shows that if radionuclides such as cesium (Cs137) exceed 10 to the power of minus 20 becquerels (Bq) per cubic meter upon Fukushima contaminated water ocean discharge, it could reach Jeju Island and the West Sea within a month."

Vice Speaker Kim added, "The Ocean Science Institute believes that if untreated contaminated water is discharged into the ocean, other radionuclides will also reach South Korea via ocean currents around the same time as cesium (Cs137)," and analyzed, "Although the concentration of radionuclides will dilute in the ocean, the total amount of radionuclides discharged into the sea remains unchanged."

According to data submitted by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission to Vice Speaker Kim, Tokyo Electric Power Company proposed alternatives including discharging contaminated water into the sea or releasing it into the atmosphere. The Japanese ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System) Subcommittee analyzed that ocean discharge costs are one-tenth of atmospheric release costs and that the treatment period is approximately 29 months shorter.

Regarding this, lawmaker Pilmo Jeong emphasized, "It has been confirmed that over 70% of Fukushima contaminated water treated by ALPS still exceeds discharge standards," and added, "Japan claims that ALPS reprocessing can reduce concentrations below discharge standards, but thorough verification is necessary."

Discussion with Neighboring Countries Needed on Contaminated Water Ocean Discharge

Choi Won-ho, Director General of Mega Public Research Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, is announcing the plan to request international cooperation regarding the Fukushima nuclear wastewater at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 5th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

One lawmaker stated, "An MOU for information disclosure on contaminated water between South Korea and Japan should be signed to ensure immediate information sharing when Fukushima contaminated water is discharged."

Lawmaker Jeong explained, "It is necessary to proactively consider requesting a joint investigation from Japan at the year-end Korea-China-Japan Nuclear High-Level Regulators Meeting (TRM). Having experts from South Korea and Japan jointly verify the contaminated water purification process and its results would be meaningful for nuclear safety cooperation in Northeast Asia."

Vice Speaker Kim stressed, "The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission should not rely solely on information and announcements from the Japanese government," adding, "Follow-up measures for nuclear accidents should not depend solely on the unilateral judgment of one country. A consensus body involving the concerned and neighboring countries must be established." He also pointed out to the Japanese government that "Forcing the ocean discharge of Fukushima contaminated water without agreement from neighboring countries could significantly violate international law (Article 194 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)."